On the 23rd of September 2015, the very first OSPAs event took place at the Safety Conference 2015 Awards Dinner, at the Thon Hotel Opera in Norway. The award ceremony, which included dinner and entertainment, was attended by State Secretary Gjermund Hagesæter, who presented the first award for Outstanding In-House Security Manager, and security professionals from across Norway. Birgit Farstad Larsen presented the Best New Security Product and Tore Kvalheim presented the final award of Best Government Initiative.

This inaugural event attracted some impressive entries and the judges had a difficult decision. After much deliberation they awarded the OSPAs to:

OSPA 2015 Winners

OSPA for Best In House Security Manager: Jan Kraft 

Jan is a security manager for Miljødirektoratet

“A great honour and I think it is important to have a prize like this; the security sector needs recognition.”

OSPA for Best New Security Product: Safe4 Security Group AS

For SelectaDNA, Advanced Forensic Marking, which has been used to prevent theft, burglary and robbery.

“When we saw the other finalists I thought we can’t imagine winning, we have and it is extremely good”

Chief Security Officer of Safe4 Security, Frode Mathiassen

“Winning the OSPA award was fantastic news. We are humble and grateful to the nomination committee, but most of all proud that SelectaDNA won the first OSPA Best New Product Award. Getting this recognition from our own Industry is a great honour.”

CEO of Safe4 Security Group AS, Bjørge Kraft

OSPA for Best Government Initiative: Odd Skei Kostveit

Odd is an assistant chief of police and project manager of Politisamarbeidet Grenseløs, an initiative to stop people who come to Norway to commit thefts, shoplifting, burglary and robbery.

“When I saw the finalists I thought no way can we win. I am honoured.”

You can find more information on the winners if you click here.

After the event, Head Judge for the Norwegian OSPAs, Jon Sigurd Jacobsen, said

“The judges met on two separate occasions. The quality of some entries was outstanding. The criteria for winning an OSPA are strict; you have to be very good. Our task was a difficult one but we are delighted with the winners and I know I speak on behalf of all the judges in congratulating them wholeheartedly on their success. To those who did not win, remember they have another chance next year”

Thomas Haneborg, of NSR, the organisation which brought the OSPAs to Norway also said:

“We are delighted to be associated with these prestigious awards. They reflect well not just on the winners, to whom we send many congratulations, but on the whole Norwegian security sector. We are especially pleased that Norway is the first country, just ahead of Australia and Germany to hold the OSPAs. We look forward to being associated with these awards in the years to come.”

Here are some photos from the night

Previous Norway OSPAs

If you want the chance to enter next years Norwegian OSPAs, make sure to keep an eye on our website for when you can enter. In the meanwhile, you can sign up for our Security Excellence Digest which will contain updates on the OSPAs in Norway and around the world.